Hand-hole plate



NOV. 25, 1930. J gsEs ET AL v 1,783,129

HAND HOLE PLATE Y Filed May a, 1927 A TTORNEY Patented Nov. 25, 1930 UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE AMAZIAH J. MOSES AND FRANK H. WRIGHT, OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNORS TO THE CASEY-HEDGES COMPANY, OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, A CORPORATION OF OHIO Application filed May 3,

This invenfinqtelates to hand-hole plates for use in connection. withb'oilers or tanks.

the primary object of the same being to provide means of simplified construction wherel by hand-hole openings in the shell or wrapper sheet of the boiler or tank may be securely subjecting the shell or wrapper sheet to strain or distortion.

Still further the invention aims to provide simplified assemblage means for the cover plate and its associated parts which enables the same to be quickly and easily installed or removed without the necessity of special skill or tools, which permits ofan extremely tight and efficient seal being made, and which holds the plate locked in tight position with little likelihood of the same becoming loosened incident to jarring or vibratory action.

With these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawing, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

Referring to the drawing:

the improved hand-hole cover plate construction, and

Fig. 2 is a sectional vie'i'i taken transversely through the-assemblage and through a part of the shell with which it is associated.

The boiler head, casing -or shell is represented generally at 3, and is provided with the usual circular hand-hole opening to permit of access being had to the interior at required times. The edge of this opening, in the present instance, is bevelled outwardly as indicated at 4, providing an annular inclined seat-co-extensive with the opening.

The hand-hole plate is indicated at 5,.afid is of substantially disc-shape with its edges Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of V HAND-HOLE PLATE 1927. Serial No. 188,553.

cut away-at oppositesides, as represented at 6, toa size substantially equal to the diameter.

of the opening. This permits of the plate passing through the opening when tilted slightly, as will be readily understood. The

the shell openingand the adjacent rounded or bevelled portion of the hand hnle plate. The diameter of the cap is such that the extremity of the flange portion 10 thereof overlies the juncture between the hand-hole opening and the plate 5. A gasket, either metallic or non-metallic, indicated at 11 is disposed in the space or pocket between the boilerv opening and the hand-hole plate, and if preferred this gasket may be of one piece so as to extend entirely aroundthe opening. The gasket may be of circular cross section or angular as desired, and as before stated, maybe of metallic or non-metallic formation. This gasket lies directly beneath the edge of the inturned flange 10 of thecap so as to be engaged directly therebywhen the cap is properly placed over the hand-hole plate.

The plate 5 has projecting centrally and outwardly therefrom abolt indicated at 12,

.the inner end of the same being headed as at 13 upon the inner side of the plate. The base portion of this bolt has an enlargement or shoulder indicated at 14:, which portion is provided with one or more angular or fiat faces as shown. The cap 9 is provided with an outwardly projecting boss 15 of a size and shape corresponding with the shoulder or en: largement 14 andof a size substanti'ally equal to or a "little larger thansaid-enlargement. The cap 9 has an opening 16 centrally thereof through which the threaded end of the bolt 12 loosely passes, said 0 ening,obviously, bein disposed centrally o the boss 15. A nut 1 engages with the threads upon the outer end of the bolt.

In applying the hand-hole plate, the same is inserted in the opening by tilting action in the manner well understood, and when properly engaged within the openings so that the flanges 7 thereof engage with the inner face of the shell adjacent the opening, the gasket 11 is applied to the groove formed between the opening and the plate. The cap is then en aged over'the bolt so that the inturned anges at the edges thereof rest upon the gasket 11. At the same time, the boss 15 will engage over the correspondingly shaped shoulder or enlargement 14 of the bolt and any tendency of relative rotation between the bolt and the cap will thus be prevented. The nut 17 is then applied to the threads ofthe bolt and tightened. This tightening action may be facilitated by applying a tool such as a wrench to the angular boss 15 to hold the same against rotation while the nut is being tightened. This tightening action causes the flange portions 10 of the cap to compress the gasket Within the channel or recess between the hand-hole opening and the plate 5, at the same time the said plate is caused to be drawn tight against the inner faces of the shell adjacent the opening. Tightening of the nut therefore securely seals the oint between the plate and the shell, but the construction is such that no strains are transmitted to the shell itself.

The interlocking arrangement of the boss and the enlargement of the bolt locks the parts securely in position and holds the same against relative movement without the application of force directed upon the nut. By applying awrench to the boss of cap 9 in tightening or loosening the holding nut, the cap and plate are'held against rotation, whereby applying and removing the device is greatly facilitated. In addition, the elimination of rotary movement of either the cap or handhole plate in these operations overcomes possibility of grinding or otherwise adversely affecting the gasket. The construction of the hand-hole plate in its manner of assembly with the boiler or tank shell is such that fluid pressure against the inner surface of the hand-hole plate does not increase compression upon the sealing rin or gasket, and any increase or decrease in fluid pressure, can, therefore, not alter the condition or effect of the gasket or seat.

Having thus described our invention, we claim i In a device of the class described, a plate to close a boiler opening, a cap having an edge to be brought substantially into contact with said plate, a. boss on said cap projecting outwardly from the central portion of said cap, said boss presenting7 angularly disposed walls, a bolt carried y said plate and projecting centrally through said boss, an ontures.

AMAZIAI-I J. MOSES. FRANK H. WRIGHT. 

